A late-game solo home run lifted St. Ignatius to a 3-2 victory over Cardinal Newman on Saturday, with Archer Horn delivering the decisive blow in the bottom of the fifth inning.

With the game knotted at two, Horn sent a pitch over the right field wall to give the Wildcats the lead for good — a lead their bullpen made sure to protect. Horn, Charlie Stecher, and RJ Church combined to shut Cardinal Newman down in relief, preserving the hard-fought win.

Cardinal Newman struck first, jumping on the board in the top of the first inning. A single down the left field line followed by a double down the right field line, plated two runs and put the Wildcats in an early hole.

St. Ignatius answered in the bottom of the third when Chase Gordon singled to right field following a gritty six-pitch at-bat, helping tie the game at two. Gordon was a force all afternoon, going 2-for-2 at the plate to lead his team in hits while also driving in a run.

Gordon toed the rubber first for St. Ignatius, surrendering three hits and two runs over three innings while striking out two and walking one. The pitching matchup was tight throughout, with St. Ignatius pitchers striking out six on the day.

With the victory secured, St. Ignatius will look to carry the momentum into Tuesday, when they travel to take on Acalanes Varsity Dons.